Toronto voter turnout reaches 45.8 per cent, highest since 2014
CityNews Toronto reports 982,660 ballots were counted across 1,431 polling locations in the 2026 Toronto municipal election, the strongest showing in 12 years.
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Toronto drew 982,660 ballots in Monday's municipal election, a voter turnout rate of 45.8 per cent, CityNews Toronto reported Tuesday morning. That is the highest rate of participation in a Toronto municipal election since 2014.
The unofficial results came from all 1,431 polling locations across the city. The 2026 total reverses a sharp decline that bottomed out just four years ago, when turnout fell to a record low of 29.7 per cent in the 2022 race. In 2018, turnout was 40.9 per cent. The 2023 mayoral by-election, which Olivia Chow won after John Tory resigned, drew 38.5 per cent. The last election with higher participation was 2014, when 54.7 per cent of eligible voters cast ballots.
The race that brought voters out
The 2026 contest featured one of the most closely watched mayoral races in recent Toronto history, CityNews Toronto said. Olivia Chow won re-election with 54.16 per cent of votes, according to The Local, defeating challenger and city councillor Brad Bradford, who received 41.11 per cent. Chow won 19 of 25 wards.
Advance voting between October 6 and 11 alone drew more than 222,000 people, NOW Toronto reported.
What comes next for Toronto's mayor
Chow's platform for her new term includes capping transit fares at 10 rides a week, building more affordable rental housing and expanding a school nutrition program, according to CityNews Toronto. She also said she would create a task force targeting landlords with the worst records of refusing court-ordered building repairs.
Seven new councillors joined Toronto City Hall after Monday's vote, with 18 incumbent councillors re-elected. Full ward results and the names of all elected councillors are on the City's results page.
Voters who want to contact their newly elected councillor can find their ward and councillor's page at /on/toronto-2026/candidates#mayor and at /on/toronto-2026/news for ongoing coverage as the new council takes shape.
Questions this story answers
How many people voted in the 2026 Toronto municipal election?
CityNews Toronto reports that 982,660 ballots were counted across all 1,431 polling locations in the 2026 Toronto municipal election. Those unofficial results placed the voter turnout rate at 45.8 per cent of eligible voters. That figure is based on unofficial results and may be adjusted when official counts are completed.
Was this a record voter turnout for Toronto?
The 45.8 per cent turnout in 2026 was the highest in a Toronto municipal election since 2014, when 54.7 per cent of eligible voters cast ballots. It was a large improvement over recent years: turnout was 40.9 per cent in 2018, dropped to a record low of 29.7 per cent in 2022, and came back to 38.5 per cent in the 2023 mayoral by-election. The 2026 figure continues the recovery from the 2022 low.
How does 2026 turnout compare to recent Toronto elections?
The 2026 turnout of 45.8 per cent sits well above the past two full elections. In 2022, turnout fell to 29.7 per cent, the lowest on record. In 2018, it was 40.9 per cent. The 2023 by-election that Olivia Chow won after John Tory resigned drew 38.5 per cent. The last election with higher participation was 2014, at 54.7 per cent.
When were the results declared unofficial?
CityNews Toronto reported the 982,660 ballot count based on unofficial election results as of the morning of October 27, 2026. Official results require a final review and certification by the City Clerk. For updates, check the City's own results page at buildcanada.com/toronto/vote/2026/results.
What happened in the mayoral race that may have driven higher turnout?
The 2026 mayoral race between incumbent Olivia Chow and challenger Brad Bradford was one of the most closely watched in recent Toronto history, according to CityNews Toronto. The closeness of the race, along with both candidates campaigning on affordability, housing and transit, gave more voters a reason to participate. Advance voting between October 6 and 11 drew more than 222,000 people, according to NOW Toronto.
Who won the 2026 Toronto mayoral race?
Olivia Chow won the 2026 Toronto mayoral election, securing 54.16 per cent of votes, according to The Local. Brad Bradford received 41.11 per cent. Chow won 19 of 25 wards across the city. You can read her profile at the link below.
What did the winning mayor say she plans to do next?
CityNews Toronto reports that Olivia Chow's new commitments include capping transit fares at 10 rides a week, building more affordable rental housing and expanding a school nutrition program. She also said she would create a task force to act against landlords with records of refusing court-ordered building repairs.
Where can I find the full 2026 Toronto election results?
Unofficial ward-by-ward and mayoral results for the 2026 Toronto municipal election are at buildcanada.com/toronto/vote/2026/results. For context on the candidates and their positions, candidate profiles for Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford are at /on/toronto-2026/candidates/olivia-chow and /on/toronto-2026/candidates/brad-bradford. Full candidate listings are at /on/toronto-2026/candidates.
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